Wildlife fines to fund $750K in conservation education for Arkansas schools

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission voted unanimously Thursday to direct more than $750,000 collected from wildlife and boating violation fines to Arkansas schools for conservation education grants this school year.
The funds, administered by the Arkansas Economic Development Commission’s Department of Rural Services, will be available for programs such as archery, shooting sports and the School of Conservation Leadership Program, AGFC Education Chief Mary Beth Hatch said. The grants aim to build students’ appreciation for the outdoors and support conservation-focused activities.

Contrary to popular belief, the AGFC does not use fine money collected from wildlife and boating infractions. Instead, the money is collected at the county level and earmarked specifically for school use in outdoor and conservation programs.

Commissioners also approved a land swap with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to exchange part of the Beryl Anthony Lower Ouachita Wildlife Management Area in Ashley County for the Oakwood Unit in Desha County. The trade will open more than 2,200 acres to public hunting in Desha County while expanding the Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, creating a corridor linking it with Louisiana’s Lower Ouachita National Wildlife Refuge.

Other actions included approving $51,000 to build a canoe and kayak access on Lake Atkins in Pope County, budget increases for water-control structure projects in Pope and Conway counties, and a letter of support to name a new Arkansas Highway 88 bridge after the late Commissioner Joe Morgan.

WebReady^TM Powered by WireReady^® NSI